The Fountain of Youth

"Remember to take care of your body - it's the only one you get to live in!"

How Many Push Ups Can You Do?

This is my step-dad Tim. He turns 67 years old TODAY! As a veteran himself, he volunteered to do 22 push ups for 22 days to help spread awareness that – 22 AMERICAN VETERANS COMMIT SUICIDE A DAY! For more details on that visit #22kill.

Watching his push up videos made me realize, he’s in better shape than a lot of people half his age! And this is without a trainer or a gym membership. I know I want to be able to do 22 push ups when I’m 67! So how does he do it? What’s the secret? The fountain of youth?

He turns everything into a workout. His workout routine – he calls “The Timmy Hanson Perpetual Tuning Method” (probably not very marketable) – includes running along the coast and incorporating dips and curls whenever he can. There is no rhyme or reason. The world is his playground.

He makes it a point to eat lots of organic vegetables, avoids processed junk food and limits his red meat intake – I know he will be having a good filet mignon for his birthday, as he should!

He drinks lots of water and enjoys a glass of red wine or two at night. That’s a normal-sized glass, not a goblet – so much better at moderation than me!

He goes to bed early so that he can get up at 4:30am to work his job as a finish carpenter. Bending, lifting, twisting and climbing all day adds up.

He works hard for what he has, rests when he needs to, doesn’t live frivolously and enjoys a good vacation a few times a year.

He is a good person that will go way out of his way to help others, but doesn’t allow himself to be taken advantage of. Toxic people and situations are avoided at all costs.

I could go on and on about how Tim is a great example on how to live life to the fullest. The truth is, there is no secret. He simply makes a conscious effort to be active and healthy so that he can enjoy every minute of his life. Although we’ve probably heard it all before, it’s easy to get caught up in our busy lives and forget the basics.

I met Tim when I was 16, but I wish I met him sooner because he has taught me so much about living a good life. I probably wouldn’t have listened then anyway! As the years go by, maintaining your health and strength becomes more about your daily habits and less about extremes. Like my parents always say, “Remember to take care of your body – after all, it’s the only one you get to live in!”

Happy 67th birthday Dad! Thanks for being our inspiration for the day.